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Some victories send dual importance in the lesson they broadcast. Among the flood of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was Saturday night's score in Paris that will echo most profoundly across the rugby world. Not merely the final score, but the way the approach of achievement. To suggest that the Springboks shattered a number of comfortable assumptions would be an oversimplification of the rugby year.

Surprising Comeback

So much for the idea, for example, that the French team would avenge the disappointment of their World Cup elimination. That entering the closing stages with a small margin and an additional player would lead to certain victory. That even without their talisman Antoine Dupont, they still had ample tranquiliser darts to restrain the powerful opponents at a distance.

As it turned out, it was a case of assuming victory too early. Having been trailing by four points, the South African side with a player sent off finished by registering 19 consecutive points, reinforcing their reputation as a squad who consistently deliver their finest rugby for the most challenging scenarios. While overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in the last quarter was a message, here was clear demonstration that the leading international squad are developing an even thicker skin.

Set-Piece Superiority

Actually, Erasmus's experienced front eight are starting to make everyone else look laissez-faire by juxtaposition. The Scottish and English sides both had their promising spells over the weekend but lacked entirely the same earthmovers that systematically dismantled the French pack to ruins in the closing period. A number of talented young home nation players are emerging but, by the end, the match was hommes contre garçons.

Even more notable was the psychological resilience driving it all. Missing their lock forward – issued a dismissal before halftime for a dangerous contact of the French full-back – the South Africans could might well have become disorganized. As it happened they merely regrouped and proceeded to pulling the disheartened home team to what a retired hooker referred to as “extreme physical pressure.”

Leadership and Inspiration

Following the match, having been borne aloft around the venue on the gigantic shoulders of two key forwards to mark his century of appearances, the Springbok captain, the flanker, yet again emphasized how several of his squad have been obliged to rise above off-field adversity and how he wished his side would in the same way continue to motivate fans.

The insightful a commentator also made an astute comment on television, suggesting that the coach's achievements increasingly make him the rugby coaching equivalent of Sir Alex Ferguson. In the event that the world champions manage to claim a third straight world title there will be complete assurance. Should they fall short, the clever way in which the mentor has revitalized a possibly veteran squad has been an object lesson to all.

Emerging Talent

Consider his young playmaker the newcomer who darted through for the closing score that decisively broke the French windows. Additionally another half-back, a second half-back with blistering pace and an keener vision for space. Undoubtedly it is an advantage to play behind a gargantuan pack, with the inside back riding shotgun, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the South African team from scowling heavyweights into a team who can also move with agility and sting like bees is remarkable.

Home Side's Moments

Which is not to say that the French team were completely dominated, notwithstanding their limp finish. Damian Penaud’s additional score in the wing area was a clear example. The set-piece strength that occupied the visiting eight, the glorious long pass from Ramos and the try-scorer's execution into the perimeter signage all displayed the characteristics of a side with notable skill, without their captain.

Yet that ultimately proved not enough, which really is a sobering thought for everybody else. There is no way, for instance, that the visitors could have trailed heavily to the Springboks and fought back in the way they did against the All Blacks. And for all the red rose's strong finish, there still exists a journey ahead before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be assured of facing the world's top team with all at stake.

Northern Hemisphere Challenges

Beating an developing Fijian side posed difficulties on the weekend although the forthcoming clash against the New Zealand will be the contest that accurately reflects their November Tests. The All Blacks are definitely still beatable, notably absent their key midfielder in their backline, but when it comes to taking their chances they continue to be a level above almost all the northern hemisphere teams.

Scotland were particularly guilty of not finishing off the final nails and question marks still hang over the red rose's ideal backline blend. It is acceptable ending matches well – and much preferable than losing them late on – but their notable undefeated streak this year has so far featured only one win over world-class sides, a one-point home victory over the French in the winter.

Next Steps

Thus the significance of this coming Saturday. Reading between the lines it would seem a number of adjustments are anticipated in the matchday squad, with key players being reinstated to the team. In the pack, likewise, first-choice players should return from the beginning.

But perspective matters, in competition as in life. Between now and the upcoming world championship the {rest